The new cinema will be one of only five locations in the state with an IMAX theater, and the only one of its kind within 75 miles of town, according to the IMAX website.

Topeka-area moviegoers seeking out the immersive atmosphere of an IMAX theater will no longer have to make the trip to Kansas City or Wichita to have their cinematic cravings filled.

A 13-screen movie theater is opening in Manhattan this fall, and one of those screens is a 575-seat auditorium IMAX theater. Five of them are dine-in theaters.

IMAX theaters are known for their enveloping sound systems and giant cinema screens.

The theater, owned by Carmike Cinemas, is under construction on the southeast side of the city, in Manhattan Town Center where the Sears Auto Center was before closing in November.

The new cinema will be one of only five locations in the state with an IMAX theater, and the only one of its kind within 75 miles of town, according to the IMAX website.

Jeff Sutton, marketing manager for Manhattan Town Center, said the theater is approaching the end of construction. It will soon be taken over by Carmike Cinemas and IMAX to complete the building process.

“It’d be awesome if we could open in early September, but it’s hard to say when,” he said. “Construction went really well. I’d say we’re definitely still on schedule, but we haven’t been told a specific opening date.”

Carmike Cinemas, which owns the only other movie theater in Manhattan, Seth Childs 12, will install its Ovation Cinema Grill to serve the location’s five dine-in theaters.

According to the Carmike Cinemas’ website, the five theaters will boast “an innovative full-service cinematic dining experience that brings convenience of dinner and a movie to every oversized luxury seat.” Ovation Cinema Grill offers a complete restaurant menu, full bar and seat-side service.

There are only three other Ovation theaters in the country with four more on the way, including the Manhattan installation.

Carmike Cinemas owns 276 theaters in 41 states.

As far as what to expect from the theater, Sutton said it will show first-run films.

“Viewers can expect the same theatrical productions of the typical IMAX experience,” he said.

Since the announcement of the Manhattan IMAX last summer, Sutton said, Little Apple citizens have been eager to experience it.

“The community is very excited about it. I get questions every day about when it’s going to open,” he said.

The addition of a top-of-the-line theater, Sutton said, only adds to the mall’s diversity.

“Whether people are coming for the dining or the IMAX or just with the kids to see a regular movie, the theater will have something to offer everyone,” he said. “We like to say we’re a part of the family, and this addition helps to offer everyone here a different opportunity in entertainment. We’re really excited to add this to our tenant list.”

Not only does Sutton think the cinematic installation will improve the experience for the community, but it also will provide quality entertainment for surrounding areas as well.

“We’ll pull folks that just want to come have that IMAX experience, and I think we’ll pull them from a significant distance away,” he said.

As theater completion nears, Sutton, who has never seen an IMAX movie, said he’s also anticipating the opening.